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He did it!!!

May 7, 2020 by Anna

Today was the day, we could all feel it this morning. Yesterday was rainy and blustery, but today… Today we have beautiful weather. We made careful preparations this morning, getting things set up just right for the big moment.


Ladies and gentlemen….I present to you..the sanctuary’s “moon shot.”

Willy B climbed on the platform in the courtyard!!!

But he wasn’t finished, there…

Not only did he climb, he climbed all the way to the TOP!

We’ve got some video footage for you tomorrow, but for now, let’s just drink this special moment in. Together!

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SanctuaryWilly BYoung's Hill

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Comments

  1. Caroline Hero says

    May 7, 2020 at 3:03 pm

    Hurray! I’m so happy and do proud of that boy. What a brave boy he is; I wonder what he thought of the view from up there? ??????

  2. Kathy says

    May 7, 2020 at 3:04 pm

    Thank you for sharing such wonderful news! This brought tears of joy.

  3. Maureen says

    May 7, 2020 at 3:09 pm

    Way to go, Willie B! So proud of you! My smile is a mile wide. Hope you enjoyed it!

  4. Marya Barey says

    May 7, 2020 at 3:14 pm

    Every day it does my heart good to open these posts and enjoy the chimp’s antics. And today’s is no exception. Thank you for the work you all contribute to the chimps’ lives and to ours out here in the ether. I’m grateful beyond measure.

  5. Jenny Wilson says

    May 7, 2020 at 3:16 pm

    WOO-HOO !!!

  6. Elaine Reininger says

    May 7, 2020 at 3:20 pm

    What fabulous news. So proud of the big boy. Can’t wait to see the video. I wonder who will be next ??

  7. Francoise says

    May 7, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    Wow. I’ve had a hard few days and this just let the tears and stress rip. Thank you Willy B! What a brave soul you are. I just really can’t possibly imagine how it feels and what he must be thinking. Indeed, it IS his moon shot. He’s traveled a very long way through tremendous stress, darkness, pain, loneliness, fear, danger and risk to get where he is. That can never be considered less than monumental for any creature to achieve.

    • Diane DePoe says

      May 7, 2020 at 9:53 pm

      Beautifully written!

  8. Meg says

    May 7, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    Hope he goes and tells the girls how cool his experience was and that they should try to go outside! Fantastic!!!

  9. Kathleen says

    May 7, 2020 at 3:24 pm

    WOW! Just WOW! I am smiling from ear to ear. Look at that last photo, it says EVERYTHING! I am so excited for and so very proud of Willy B. WOW. A whole new world awaits, and it changes everyday. (I can only imagine your excitement, well done.)

    Wait until he goes back inside and tells the girls!!!

  10. Jo Arroyo says

    May 7, 2020 at 3:32 pm

    Huge SMILE! There courage blows me away. Humas would have been crushed if they had to endure what the chimps were subjected to. They teach us something everyday.

  11. John Joseph O'Brien says

    May 7, 2020 at 3:35 pm

    Way to go Willy B! You’re da man!

  12. Sherry says

    May 7, 2020 at 3:36 pm

    We’re celebrating with you in St. Louis! Go Willy B. Go!!!

  13. June Jones says

    May 7, 2020 at 3:42 pm

    Happy tears for this beautiful boy’s courage. He picked a most spectacular day for his adventure. I hope Honey B and Mave will join him soon??

  14. Judy says

    May 7, 2020 at 3:46 pm

    Willy B. you are an incredibly brave soul… and from now on.. What Places You’ll Go… So amazing that he is feeling comfortable enough to do this… The spirit of these individuals is strong and enduring. Looking forward to each new day of steps… Thanks for the GREAT photos. <3 The care and patience the staff provides is just as WOW as Will b.'s courage!

  15. Linda C says

    May 7, 2020 at 3:48 pm

    Anna!
    I love how you didn’t make us wait until evening for this fabulous news!
    I certainly hope there was something special waiting for him at the top!
    I think the more time he spends out there, the more curiosity is going to drag the girls out after him. When they realize all the good snacks are out there and he’s not sharing, they will join him. How special that he went to the top with no roof over him! Almost like watching a child take their 1st steps, right?!
    Thanks for the early post! Squee!

  16. CeeCee says

    May 7, 2020 at 4:05 pm

    Yay for Willy B !
    I knew you could do it 🙂

  17. Edie Bruce says

    May 7, 2020 at 4:05 pm

    Yay Willy B.!!! I’ve been rooting for you! So happy you made it to the top, into the warm sunshine, where you truly belong!

  18. Jackie says

    May 7, 2020 at 4:14 pm

    This is wonderful news! I hope this will encourage the girls to follow his example.

  19. Sandie Allaway says

    May 7, 2020 at 4:15 pm

    Yaaaaaay! He trusted and he did it!!! Way to go handsome.

  20. Jordan Bower says

    May 7, 2020 at 4:20 pm

    Incredible! What a brave soul. This made my day. Bravo Willy B!!!

  21. Lynda Ferguson says

    May 7, 2020 at 4:21 pm

    SO happy for Willy B ????. What a wonderful day for Willy, the other chimps and the caregivers as well. Can’t wait to see what happens next ?.

  22. Jordan Bower says

    May 7, 2020 at 4:23 pm

    I forgot to write, the photo at the top of this blog title, is now my computer screen photo. As inspiration that we can not only face the vast, scary unknown – – but walk through it, climb it and look out over the beautiful view!!!

  23. Lynn says

    May 7, 2020 at 4:47 pm

    I couldn’t be happier or prouder for Willy B! I am so excited to see him on the platform. I just had to share this momentous occasion with my Facebook friends. I know they will be as excited as we all are. Way to go Willy B! Now, let’s see if the girls will follow him out there. I think Mave will be next to come out.

  24. Arlene and Michael says

    May 7, 2020 at 4:50 pm

    This is great news. I am so happy for him, discovering a whole new world out there, on his own terms. He is very brave. Looking forward to the days when Honey B and Mave will make it out there to take in the fresh air and breathtaking scenery too.

  25. Sue says

    May 7, 2020 at 4:56 pm

    Oh my heart…and I am so thankful to all of you loving caretakers at the sanctuary for providing the safe feeling, the atmosphere and the actual structure that encourages the bravery we saw today.

  26. Betsy says

    May 7, 2020 at 5:01 pm

    Willy B, King of the World.
    Thanks to everyone at CSNW who made this possible, who nurtured Willy B through the winter and gained his trust, who got up early to put enrichment on the platforms, who crouched for hours with a camera to capture the special moments. We also celebrate you today!

  27. Adamsgirl says

    May 7, 2020 at 5:29 pm

    I wanted to run around telling everyone! Thank you for allowing him to make his own choices, but giving him some loving encouragement. High fives to all!

  28. Cara says

    May 7, 2020 at 5:47 pm

    Congratulations to all of you! Well done, Willy B!

  29. Lisa Brihagen says

    May 7, 2020 at 6:19 pm

    Yippppeeeeeeeee!!!!!

  30. Jo Lathrop says

    May 7, 2020 at 6:44 pm

    BRAVO!! AB fab news!! Bet the others will follow in time! Wonder if it had anything to do with the full moon!! LOL Love and hugs to you all…

  31. Debi says

    May 7, 2020 at 6:57 pm

    g u l p…The second I read, “He did it,” my heart started POUNDING a mile a minute…Of course, I cried tears of pure joy knowing Willy B…this magnificent, innocent chimp & lovable soul (we’ve all rallied behind) was able to overcome his fear of the unknown with such heartwarming & courageous bravery..

    I can’t help but wonder what this huge accomplishment felt like for him as he sat on the top of that big platform, watching & breathing in the sounds & sights of a world he didn’t know existed.. the sky & wide open spaces, grass, mountains, trees upon trees & even the beautiful birds., etc, etc..Since chimps have such a strong, innate sense of equity among themselves, I also wonder if they feel a sense of “pride” upon such a big accomplishment as Willy B’s…

    Dear Caretakers…I can only begin to imagine your own sense of pride & beaming smiles while you probably held your breath for a moment…bravo… BRAVO…

  32. Barbara H. says

    May 7, 2020 at 7:19 pm

    Willy B. I am soooo proud of you climbing on the platform and going all the way
    to the top. I believe you have found your true “freedom” now to do what makes
    you happy and FREE. You are very brave and now the world is open to new
    challenges and adventures. You can do it all. Good luck.

  33. Karen says

    May 7, 2020 at 7:29 pm

    This was Willy B’s day in the sun! He was really enjoying himself. The girls will follow. Can’t wait for that moment to happen! Congratulations to Willy B!

  34. Steven Everet Young says

    May 7, 2020 at 8:21 pm

    OUTSTANDING!!!!!!

  35. Pat Malcolm says

    May 7, 2020 at 10:46 pm

    News like this just gives me chills! After all they’ve been through, this is the epitome of “what they want, when they want.” And now he sits majestic, in the spring sun, surrounded by grass and sky and friends. As I said, chills.

  36. Priya says

    May 8, 2020 at 12:14 am

    How brilliant of Willy B ! Loove your write ups on the life and times of the chimpanzees at Cle Elum. Wondering whether the original seven saw Willy B’s feat.

  37. Mary says

    May 8, 2020 at 10:39 am

    What a great day! That had to take some guts!

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